Health Reform Announcements -
March 2013

The Minnesota Department of Health is now posting weekly updates of announcements related to Minnesota’s health reform activities. These updates are also sent out via e-mail to subscribers to Health Reform Announcements. Updates are sent each Friday.

Weekly Update - March 29

Recommendations sought for Statewide quality reporting The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) invites interested stakeholders to submit recommendations on the addition, removal, or modification of standardized quality measures to MDH by June 1, 2013.The Commissioner will take these recommendations into consideration in determining what, if any, changes should be made to the Statewide Quality Reporting and Measurement System (SQRMS). Information on the criteria for recommendations is available at Health Care Quality Measures - Recommendations. Recommendations must be submitted to MDH at health.reform@state.mn.us by 4:30 p.m. on June 1, 2013, to be considered.

To better align with other state and federal reporting requirements—most notably, Minnesota Health Care Homes, the CMS Shared Savings Program (i.e., Accountable Care Organizations), and the CMS Physician Quality Reporting System (PQRS)—MDH is considering changing the required patient experience survey tool that is to be administered every-other-year from the CG-CAHPS Visit Survey to the CG-CAHPS 12-month core survey. Clinics that are seeking Health Care Homes certification or are certified Health Care Homes can add the Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH) supplemental items to the 12-month CG-CAHPS core survey. The next patient experience survey under SQRMS would commence in 2014. MDH is requesting community feedback on this potential change in particular.

Weekly Update - March 22

Legislation signed and MNsure brand unveiled
It's been a landmark week for Minnesota's health insurance exchange with two major milestones of note. On Wednesday, Governor Dayton as signed HF 5 into law, officially establishing a state-based health insurance exchange for Minnesotans. Shortly thereafter, Commissioner Schowalter unveiled the new name for the Exchange, MNsure, along with the brand mark.

The road to the bill signing was filled with extensive stakeholder input and debate. Countless hours and a wealth of knowledge was dedicated in the early planning stages by numerous individuals who served on the Advisory Task Force, Technical Work Groups and Inter-Agency Committees. At the legislature, the House and Senate bills passed through 20 committees, had more than 300 amendments proposed and received 90+ hours of debate. Also on Wednesday, the Exchange became MNsure.

The MNsure brand is the result of a professional brand development guided by branding experts Haberman of Minneapolis. The 12-week process included market research; stakeholder workshops; and consumer testing of small business owners, insured and uninsured individuals and agents/brokers from across Minnesota. More than 90 people lent their insights and observations to help us arrive at a name and logo that consumers said is "simple and clear" and is "for all of us, a source of state pride." Visit mnsure.org.

MDH seeks comments by March 29 on Minnesota's Quality Incentive Payment System
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is proposing its third update to the Minnesota Quality Incentive Payment System since the initial framework was published in January 2010. The updated framework is available at Health Care Quality Measures - Quality Incentive Payment System. Interested stakeholders may submit comments on the updated framework to health.reform@state.mn.us through March 29, 2013. Please note, the March 15th health reform update included an incorrect deadline. The correct deadline for submitting comments is March 29.

Weekly Update - March 15

MDH seeks comments on Minnesota's Quality Incentive Payment System
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) is proposing its third update to the Minnesota Quality Incentive Payment System since the initial framework was published in January 2010. The updated framework is available at Health Care Quality Measures - Quality Incentive Payment System. Interested stakeholders may submit comments on the updated framework to health.reform@state.mn.us through March 22, 2013.

Save the Date: Health Care Homes Learning Days May 1 and 2The Minnesota departments of human services and health are holding health care homes learning days May 1 and 2 in Brooklyn Park. The May 1 event is from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the May 2 schedule is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration opens March 18. Additional details are available at http://www.health.state.mn.us/healthreform/homes/collaborative/index.html

Statewide Quality Reporting and Measurement System ambulatory surgical center registration deadline is April 1
The MN Community Measurement (MNCM) Data Portal is open for the annual ambulatory surgical center registration. Registration must be completed by April 1, 2013. All ambulatory surgical centers in Minnesota are required to register annually for the Minnesota Department of Health's Statewide Quality Reporting and Measurement System. Ambulatory surgical centers that have previously registered with MNCM will need to update their information. The registration guide is posted on the MNCM Data Portal and on the MNCM Web site. Ambulatory surgical centers are scheduled to submit data July 2013.

Weekly Update - March 8

Health insurance marketplace bill passes SenateThe Minnesota Senate on Thursday passed legislation creating an online health insurance marketplace. The House passed its version of the bill earlier this week. A legislative conference committee is scheduled to meet next week to resolve differences between the Senate and House bills enacting a cornerstone of the federal health care overhaul. To learn more about Minnesota's health insurance marketplace, visit http://mn.gov/hix/.

Save the Date: Health Care Homes Learning Days May 1 and 2The Minnesota departments of human services and health are holding health care homes learning days May 1 and 2 in Brooklyn Park. The May 1 event is from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. and the May 2 schedule is from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration opens March 18. Additional details are available at http://www.health.state.mn.us/healthreform/homes/collaborative/index.html

Statewide Quality Reporting and Measurement System meeting March 13
MN Community Measurement's Measurement and Reporting Committee will meet on March 13, on work related to the Statewide Quality Reporting and Measurement System Please see Measurement and Reporting Committee for more information.

Statewide Quality Reporting and Measurement System ambulatory surgical center registration deadline is April 1
The MN Community Measurement (MNCM) Data Portal is open for the annual ambulatory surgical center registration. Registration must be completed by April 1, 2013. All ambulatory surgical centers in Minnesota are required to register annually for the Minnesota Department of Health's Statewide Quality Reporting and Measurement System. Ambulatory surgical centers that have previously registered with MNCM will need to update their information. The registration guide is posted on the MNCM Data Portal and on the MNCM Web site. Ambulatory surgical centers are scheduled to submit data July 2013.